Golf putter head

ABSTRACT

A golf putter head having a configuration similar to that of a croquet mallet head is disclosed. The shaft of the putter is attached to the putter head at the approximate center thereof and the putter head is substantially symmetrical about the shaft. The longitudinal axis of the putter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head. The putter head has slightly enlarged ends which act as the striking surface of the putter head.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a golf putter and, moreparticularly, to a head for a golf putter.

BACKGROUND ART

There are numerous patents directed to golf clubs, in general, and golfputters, in particular. With respect to golf putters, there are alsopatents directed specifically to golf putter heads. In most instancesthe patents that are directed to golf putter heads disclose putter headshaving a striking surface that is along the longitudinal axis of theputter head, rather than at the oppositely disposed ends of the head.The end result is that the golfer cannot readily align the putter withthe hole. In addition, such putters are typically designed for eitherright-handed golfers or left-handed golfers. If, however, the golfputter head had a striking surface at each end of the putter head, thelongitudinal axis of the putter head can be aligned with the hole andthe putter can be readily used by both right-handed and left-handedgolfers.

In view of the foregoing, it has become desirable to develop a golfputter head that has a striking surface at each of the oppositelydisposed ends thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems associated with the prior artgolf putter heads, and other problems, by providing a putter head thathas a configuration similar to that of a croquet mallet head. In thepresent invention, the shaft of the putter is attached to the putterhead at the approximate center of the putter head and the putter head issubstantially symmetrical about the shaft. The longitudinal axis of theputter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe putter head. The putter head has slightly enlarged ends,interconnected by a body portion. The slightly enlarged ends act as thestriking surface of the putter head. Since the longitudinal axis of theputter shaft is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe putter head permitting alignment of the putter head with the hole,the golfer, whether right-handed or left-handed, can assume any stanceor position without moving the putter head, thus keeping his or heralignment with the hole substantially constant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention showing its attachment to a golf putter shaft represented bybroken lines.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the golf putter head of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention taken across section-indicating lines 6-6 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the golf putter head of the presentinvention taken across section-indicating lines 7-7 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the Figures where the illustrations are for the purposeof describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention and arenot intended to limit the invention described herein, FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the golf putter head 10 of the present inventionshowing its attachment to a golf putter shaft 12. The golf putter head10 is formed from a solid, substantially cylindrical metallic materialand has a central portion 14 with oppositely disposed end portions 16,18 attached thereto. A plurality of decorative grooves 20 is positionedadjacent each end portion 16, 18. The central portion 14 of the putterhead 10 has a blind bore 22 provided therein in the approximate centerthereof, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The diameter of the blind bore 22 issuch so as to receive the end 24 of the putter shaft 12 which is securedtherein by a relatively snug fit. The putter shaft 12 is oriented sothat its longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the putter head 10 after the end 24 of the puttershaft 12 is received therein.

Dimensionally, the diameter of each end portion 16, 18 of the putterhead 10 is approximately 1.3125 inches and the diameter of the centralportion 14 of the putter head 10 is approximately 1.1875 inches. Theoverall length of the putter head 10 along its longitudinal axis isapproximately 3.875 inches including each end portion 16, 18. The lengthof the central portion 14 of the putter head 10 along its longitudinalaxis is approximately 3.500 inches. The total weight of the putter head10 is approximately 240 grams.

One of the primary advantages of the golf putter head 10 of the presentinvention is that its design allows for various putting styles becausethe longitudinal axis of the putter head 10 maintains a substantiallydirect line for the golfer with the hole and remains substantiallysquare with respect to the hole regardless of the golfer's stance. Sincethe longitudinal axis of the putter shaft 12 is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the putter head 10 causingalignment of the putter head 10 with the hole, the golfer can assume anystance or position without moving the putter head 10, thus keeping hisor her alignment substantially constant. In addition, the design of thegolf putter head 10 makes its easier for the golfer to controlbackstroke and follow-through, and virtually eliminates unnecessary anddetrimental spin of the golf ball during putting. Since the putter head10 is balanced, a smoother putting stroke also results. Furthermore, theputter head 10 can rest comfortably on the ground regardless of thegolfer's height or stance. Lastly, the design of the putter head 10allows the putter to be used by both right-handed or left-handedgolfers.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon reading the foregoing. It is understood that all suchmodifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake ofconciseness, but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

1. A golf putter head comprising a body portion having a substantiallycylindrical configuration in cross-section, said body portion having acentral portion terminating in oppositely disposed end portions, saidcentral portion and said oppositely disposed end portions each being ofa substantially constant diameter along the longitudinal axis of saidgolf putter head, the diameter of said oppositely disposed end portionsbeing slightly greater than the diameter of said central portion, andsaid central portion having a blind bore therein in the approximatecenter thereof, said blind bore receiving the shaft of a putter andhaving its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said golf putter head.
 2. The golf putter head asdefined in claim 1 wherein the overall length of said body portion isabout 3.875 inches.
 3. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1wherein the length of said central portion of said body portion is about3.500 inches.
 4. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein thediameter of said central portion of said body portion is about 1.1875inches.
 5. The golf putter head as defined in claim 1 wherein thediameter of each of said oppositely disposed end portions of said bodyportion is about 1.3125 inches.
 6. The golf putter head as defined inclaim 1 wherein the weight of said golf putter head is about 240 grams.